1689 6.2

6.2. Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof

Our first Parents by this Sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we in them, whereby death came upon all; all becoming dead in Sin, and wholly defiled, in all the faculties, and parts, of soul, and body.

Proof texts

• Romans 3:23 — [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
• Romans 5:12 — [12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned —
• Titus 1:15 — [15] To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
• Genesis 6:5 — [5] The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
• Jeremiah 17:9 — [9] The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
• Romans 3:10-19 — [10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; [11] no one understands; no one seeks for God. [12] All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” [13] “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” [14] “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” [15] “Their feet are swift to shed blood; [16] in their paths are ruin and misery, [17] and the way of peace they have not known.” [18] “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” [19] Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Romans 3:23 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WLC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q13 · WLC Q21 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · SD 6.1